Thank you for the detailed review!
Yeah, I couldn't really focus on the visual of the world as much, or add much exploration/alternate endings, since the combat system, as well as giving the enemies unique strengths and weaknesses already took so much time.
And also, by the final boss that you called unfair, do you mean the fire mage, or the vine princess? If it's the princess, then that was intentional, as you're not meant to win that fight.